Iraq Orders Election Recount in Baghdad

BAGHDAD — An Iraqi election panel on Monday ordered a manual recount of ballots for the capital Baghdad in a move that could affect who becomes the country's next prime minister, electoral officials told AFP.

"The judicial panel decided to recount the votes in Baghdad," said Hamdiyah al-Husseini, of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), following an appeal by incumbent premier Nuri al-Maliki in the wake of an inconclusive March 7 election.

A second IHEC official, Iyad al-Kenani, confirmed that it would be a manual recount.

BAGHDAD — An Iraqi election panel on Monday ordered a manual recount of ballots for the capital Baghdad in a move that could affect who becomes the country's next prime minister, electoral officials told AFP.